MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of people with albinism in Malawi and other African countries
3.10.2017 - (2017/2868(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure
Mario Borghezio on behalf of the ENF Group
B8‑0562/2017
European Parliament resolution on the situation of people with albinism in Malawi and other African countries
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on the killing of people with albinism,
– having regard to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Resolution 263 of 5 November 2013 on the prevention of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism,
– having regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,
– having regard to Rule 135 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas albinism is a congenital disorder and that it is much higher in sub-Saharan countries, with Tanzania, Malawi and Burundi having one of the highest concentrations of persons with albinism (PWA);
B. whereas PWA are facing some of the most extreme forms of persecution and human rights violations, ranging from widespread societal discrimination, verbal abuse and exclusion from public services to killings, abductions, rape and mutilations;
C. whereas the biggest threat to persons with albinism in Africa comes from the widespread superstitions and misleading belief systems about their condition, including the myth that PWA have magical powers, resulting in them being regularly killed by criminal gangs and traffickers for their body parts, which are believed to bring luck, health and fortune; whereas, in several countries, the graves of PWA have been opened and body parts or bones stolen;
D. whereas prosecutions and convictions remain very few in number and crimes and torture continue to be committed with total impunity in many African countries;
1. Expresses its deep concern at the continuous and widespread discrimination and persecution faced by persons with albinism in Africa, in particular following the recent rise in violence in Malawi;
2. Condemns all killings, abductions, mutilations and other inhuman and degrading treatment suffered by PWA and expresses its condolences and solidarity to the families of the victims; condemns also any speculative trading in PWA’s body parts;
3. Deplores the silence and inertia surrounding these events;
4. Calls on the authorities of the countries affected to commit to taking all the necessary measures to prevent and tackle the illegal trade in albinos’ body parts and to bring the ‘albino hunters’ to justice;
5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Governments and Parliaments of Malawi and Tanzania, the African Union and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.